Cities / Memphis / Harbor Town vs Uptown
Harbor Town vs Uptown: which is safer?
Harbor Town is the safer of the two — 90/100 against 51/100. Go. Harbor Town is one of the safest and most affluent residential enclaves in the Memphis metropolitan area. Its island geography provides natural access control and insulates it from the broader city's elevated crime rates, making it an excellent and secure base for visitors.
Harbor Town
Memphis, Tennessee
90
out of 100 · Go
Situated on Mud Island between the Wolf River Harbor and the Mississippi River, Harbor Town is a celebrated New Urbanist community featuring picturesque homes, tree-lined sidewalks, and peaceful river views. It combines a small-town village feel with quick driving or pedestrian access to downtown Memphis.
- Walk score
- 58
- Bike score
- 68
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in Shelby County due to semi-isolated island geography.
- Median household income exceeds $110,000 with very high educational attainment and low residential vacancy.
- Extensive network of sidewalks, dedicated greenway paths, and manicured waterfront parks.
Cons
- Isolated entry points across the Wolf River mean traffic bottlenecks during bridge maintenance or riverfront events.
- Vehicles parked overnight on public streets are occasionally targeted for property theft.
- Very few commercial options beyond a small collection of restaurants and a boutique market.
Uptown
Memphis, Tennessee
51
out of 100 · Caution
Uptown is a historic, evolving neighborhood situated immediately north of Downtown Memphis. The area features a mix of historic architecture, modern mixed-income developments, and community-driven revitalization alongside legacy industrial borders.
- Walk score
- 64
- Bike score
- 68
Pros
- Direct adjacency to Downtown Memphis and the expanding St. Jude Children's Research Hospital campus
- Substantial mixed-income housing revitalization and ongoing infrastructure investments
- Convenient access to riverfront recreational amenities and the Wolf River Greenway
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates significantly exceed state and national averages
- Census tracts show high poverty rates alongside elevated residential vacancy on secondary streets
- Higher risk of opportunistic vehicular burglary and property theft